COVID-19 and Sepsis

The immune system protects the body against illnesses by fighting bacteria, viruses and other dangerous microorganisms that may cause harm.  Sometimes, a person’s immune system can go into overdrive as it tries to fight an infection.  The condition is known as sepsis, which is a life-threatening organ dysfunction that occurs when an infection triggers an extreme reaction throughout the body.  It can be caused by bacterial, fungal, protozoal or viral infections, including the virus that causes COVID-19.  Left untreated, sepsis can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.  Early recognition and treatment of sepsis are required for survival.

Sepsis affects 1.7 million adults in the U.S. and results in nearly 270,000 fatalities in the United States each year.  Individuals who are at a higher risk of sepsis include adults 65 or older, people with weakened immune systems or who have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, cancer or kidney disease, individuals with recent severe illness or hospitalization, and sepsis survivors.  Sepsis is most often a result of infections that start in the lungs, urinary tract, skin or gastrointestinal tract.  

COVID-19 is a virus that affects the respiratory system, and it also can impact multiple organs, including lungs, brain, kidneys, heart and liver.  Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever and chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, which are similar to the early signs of sepsis, making it difficult to diagnose.  Other symptoms of sepsis include confusion or disorientation, rapid heart rate or low blood pressure, and extreme pain or discomfort.  Individuals who do not seek treatment for severe symptoms of COVID-19 are at risk for sepsis.  Because severe COVID-19 is characterized by the body’s extreme reaction to the infection, it could be considered viral sepsis which requires immediate medical attention.  

Unlike bacterial sepsis that can be treated with antibiotics to stop the progression, there are limited treatments for COVID-19 sepsis.  Therapies used to treat patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including corticosteroids, antivirals such as remdesivir, anticoagulation and monoclonal antibodies, have been shown to decrease morbidity or improve patient outcomes, as well as help to reduce the risk or slow the progression of sepsis.

Individuals who suspect that they or another person may have sepsis should seek medical care immediately.  The national public awareness campaign, “It’s About TIME” was an initiative launched in 2018 by Sepsis Alliance to help people recognize the most common symptoms of sepsis and provide people with knowledge to suggest sepsis to their physician when they arrive at the emergency department.  

The acronym TIME stands for:

• Temperature – higher or lower than normal
• Infection – individual may have signs and symptoms of infection
• Mental decline – patient is confused, sleepy or difficult to rouse
• Extremely ill – severe pain or discomfort

Preventing infection is the best way to reduce the risk of sepsis.  Layered interventions, such as wearing masks when proper social distancing cannot be obtained, thorough hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitizer, avoiding people who are sick, and staying home when ill are effective practices for preventing COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.  Managing chronic health conditions such as 
diabetes and getting recommended vaccines aid in maintaining a strong immune system.  It also is important to seek medical care for infections that worsen or do not improve over time.

| Posted On : 1/3/2022 12:57:11 PM